U of M experts track newly arrived swine virus

ST. PAUL, Minn. - University of Minnesota experts are working to prevent the further spread of a swine virus that was first confirmed in the United States last month.

Dr. Montserrat Torremorell says it's not clear how the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus was introduced to the U.S. She says more than 60 cases have been confirmed in Minnesota, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa and Illinois combined.

While it can be fatal to newborn piglets, she says older pigs generally recover after a few days.

Experts say the disease poses no risks to the health of humans or other animals and no risks to food safety.

As far as researchers know, the virus is transmitted only via contaminated feces, so producers have been stepping up their biosecurity with better sanitation to prevent any spread between farms.

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